FIRST CENTURY OF DAIRYING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 



use of the Siamese crosses. The probabilities are that these qualities 

 were characteristics of the Berkshires, in some degree at least, prior 

 to the use with them of that ancient breed." 



The improved Berkshires are now known as follows : Color, 

 black, with smooth, pliable, purple, plum-colored skin ; hair rather 

 fine, soft, and thick; feet and tip of tail white, also some white on 

 jowl, with dash o-l white in face, and not infrequently the nose white; 

 forehead and face broad, the latter dished, with eyes rather large 

 and very clear ; the snout short ; ears of medium size, thin, and very 

 soft, and carried rather upright ; neck short and broad on top and 

 deep through chest ; back, broad; sides deep and nearly straight(on 

 bottom line ; hams large, reaching well forward on back and well 

 down on hock, well rounded and deep through, causing the short 

 legs to stand well apart ; these, as well as the forelegs to standing 

 well on toes ; tail tapering, rather fine, and well set up. In general 

 form a modern, well-bred Berkshire in good condition is symmetrical 

 throughout, attractive in appearance, and recognised at once as an 

 animal of more than ordinary worth. 



The Chester White is another famous breed of hog, and so far a.- 

 is known is a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., and 

 is one of the oldest of domesticated breeds. It is of Eastern origin, 

 but during 100 years it has been less crossed with other breeds than, 

 probably, any other breed, yet it was steadily improved during the 

 last fifty years. They grow to a very large size and mature at about 

 18 months old. It is said that animals of this breed have weighed 

 75olb. at 18 months old ; and speaking of their prolificacy a writer 

 states that sows of this breed have produced eleven good pigs in 

 four consecutive litters. The National Convention of Swine Breeders 

 adopted the following as the characteristics of this breed : Head 

 short, broad between the eyes, ears thin, projecting forward and 

 lapping at the points ; neck short and thick, jowl large : body 

 lengthy, deep, and broad on back; legs short, and set well under for 

 bearing weight; coating or hair thinnish, white, straight, and if a 

 little wavy not objectionable ; tail small, and no bristles. A pure- 

 bred Chester White hog is all white. If he has any dark or black 

 marks, it is evidence of a cross cf some kind, and the animal should 

 be rejected as a breeder. 



There is another American breed of hog worthy of notice, namely, 

 the " Duroc Jersey," or " Jersey Red," as it is frequently called. Tt 

 has been developed during the last fifty years into a state of per- 

 fection in the State of New Jersey, U.S.A. How this breed iwts 

 originated is not definitely known, but it is surmised that the Berk- 

 shire or Essex breeds had been largely used in developing this 

 breed of hog. The Duroc, or Jersey Red Club, adopted the follow- 

 ing standard: A good specimen of this breed should be red in color, 

 with snout of moderate length ; large lop ears : small head, in pro- 

 portion to the size and length of the body, which should stand high 

 and rangy on thin legs; bone- CdtffSe : 1-cavy tail and brush ; hair 

 coarse, including bristles on the back. This breed of hog is prac- 

 tu-ally one and the same with the English Tamworths. Thev are valu- 

 able on account of their size ami stroner constitution, and capacity 

 for growth which is characteristic of the " wild jungle" ho? of 

 America. 



There are many other breeds of swine which might be enumerated 

 and the salient points given of each, for indeed every country ha- 

 several breeds peculiar to itself. Tf we take England for an example 

 we will find numerous breeds in almost every county. There arc 

 lew c unities, however, in England where su much improvement has 

 taken place in the breeds of pigs as Yorkshire, where there are 

 many noted breeder- of what are generally known as the large, 



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